Obasanjo identifies Abdulsalami, military leaders for guiding Nigeria through difficult transitions

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lauded four former Nigerian military leaders, stating their actions were crucial to shaping modern Nigeria and that the country might not exist in its current form without them. Obasanjo spoke at a Saturday event in Abuja marking the 84th birthday of former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar and the public presentation of three books dedicated to him.

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I would say four military leaders have made tremendous contributions to Nigeria of today, and without their contributions, we would not be where we are.

The books include an autobiography of Abubakar, another titled 'Nigeria’s Grand Patriot: Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar,' and 'Mediating for Peace in Africa: A Festschrift in Honour of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.' Obasanjo specifically recognized former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, alongside former military governor Adekunle Fajuyi, for their pivotal roles during significant moments in Nigeria's history.

Obasanjo, who described himself as both an eyewitness and participant in many post-independence events, acknowledged that these leaders were not perfect and made mistakes. However, he emphasized their indispensable contributions. He cited Gowon's leadership during the civil war and his handling of the post-1966 coup crisis as vital for preserving national unity. Mohammed was praised as a transformational figure who accelerated the return to democratic rule and enhanced Nigeria's international standing before his assassination.

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They are not all perfect human beings. They all made mistakes, but they all made contributions without which we could not have been able to have Nigeria of today.

The former military governor Adekunle Fajuyi was honored as a symbol of loyalty and courage, recalling his death alongside former Head of State Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi during the July 1966 counter-coup. Obasanjo reserved particular praise for Abubakar, describing him as a patriot, nationalist, elder statesman, and peacemaker whose leadership guided Nigeria through a particularly uncertain political transition.

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Maybe more should be said about him in the future.